Retreats Require Both 'Stimulus' and a 'Vessel'

What makes a retreat a retreat?
This is a reflection (a hypothesis) on that question.

The background to this question lies in the fact that several people who participated in my 'Art Retreats' left feedback saying,
'It was truly a retreat.'

What kind of experience is an 'Art Retreat'?
Here is an article written by the first participant, Wakana, describing it ⇩

While these are very happy and reassuring words of validation,
Art Retreats are held in art museums, not in forests or rural villages.

Of course, I have always been confident that this is a retreat,
but what is it about this experience that makes participants feel it is a 'retreat'?
I have continued to host these sessions while holding that question in mind.

My current conclusion is that it is because both 'something that provides stimulus to the participants' and
'a vessel to receive that stimulus' exist simultaneously.

In retreats held in nature, such as forests or rural villages,
nature itself often takes on both roles.
(Naturally, I believe the person creating the space also plays a part in both.)

The magnificent 'receptive power' of the earth, mountains, and sea,
and an environment that is different from daily life—sometimes harsh, cruel, and overly honest.

Participants receive both that 'offense' and 'defense' all at once
with their whole bodies, and from there, they begin to feel a sense of wholeness*.
*Defined as 'the state of being complete, not lacking anything, and already fulfilled.'

On the other hand, the art pieces that participants encounter in an Art Retreat
mostly fall under the category of 'stimulus.' This is because they always contain
the artist's 'intent' (which can also be interpreted as an assertion).

And when participants receive that 'stimulus' from the art,
they need a vessel to receive them and say, 'It's okay,'
and that becomes the role of the person creating the space and the art museum itself.

By establishing that, participants feel 'accepted'
and it leads them to regain their own sense of wholeness.

In fact, among the feedback from those who participated in the Art Retreats,
there were several comments saying, 'The guide (me) accepted everything' and 'They affirmed me.'

While this was something I had been doing consciously,
the fact that all the participants felt that way not only gave me peace of mind,
but also strengthened my recognition that 'this is my role.'

This realization is quite troublesome, or perhaps bothersome...
I realized that 'I am carrying the same role as that great nature,'
and as a serious person, I feel the pressure, haha.

Even so, I want to acknowledge myself for being able to do this, even if only a little,
and it feels like my vision has cleared, as it has become clear
'what I should value as I continue to host Art Retreats.'

All of this is thanks to returning to Fujiwara in Minakami Town for a retreat.
Sigh, nature is truly unbeatable.

But now that I have sorted this out and seen my purpose,
all that is left is to pour my life into it.

I will receive all of 'you' who have received stimulus from art.
So, I would be very happy if you would share this experience with me.
I am waiting for you ^^